Attorney General Anil Nandlall has declared that the government is not fazed by the moves by the Guyana Teachers’ Union to challenge the Government’s decision to cut the salaries of striking teachers, as it maintains that the strike is illegal.

The Ministries of Education and Local Government announced on Monday that they will be deducting monies from the salaries of teachers for their unauthorized absence from work.

Appearing on his Issues in the News television programme, the AG maintained the Government’s line that the nationwide strike is political. He said any move by the union to challenge the salary cuts would have no merit.

“The Government like any other employer has a right to levy a deduction against any worker who are absent from work without permission, leave or authorization, that is standard industrial law, standard labour law and standard industrial practice,” the AG noted.

The AG said persons are confusing the right to strike with a freedom to strike. He said the Constitution confers upon citizens a freedom to strike, not a right to strike, and there is a huge distinction legally between the two.

“So if the government decides to withhold pay, then the Government is perfectly within its rights lawfully to do so,” Mr. Nandlall declared.

As it relates to the Government’s move to stop remitting teachers union dues to the GTU, the AG said the Government has decided to sever that arrangement with the GTU for its bad faith negotiations and some administrative issues.

“Why should the government continue to offer such a service to a union that wants to hold the government at ransom? And has unilaterally decided to call a strike while the government is negotiation and engaging the union in good faith. Why should a government aid and abet the misuse and abuse of union dues on behalf of the teachers of this country,” the AG said.

Mr. Nandlall said the government does not want an antagonistic relationship with workers and their unions but the Government will not work under bad faith or duress.

Teachers across the country are continuing their strike action, even as the GTU has moved to the Courts to challenge the Government’s decision to cut the salaries of the striking teachers.

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